Thieves Target Garden City Homes in Mid-Day Downspout Heist

Residents of a neighborhood in Garden City are grappling with shock and disbelief following a series of downspout thefts that occurred in broad daylight this week. On Tuesday afternoon, multiple homes along Pearce Avenue were targeted, leaving homeowners confused about the motives behind such an unusual crime.

Harrison Mariano, a local resident, received a call from a neighbor while he was at work, alerting him to the theft occurring nearby. Upon returning home, Mariano reviewed his security camera footage, which captured a person in a black hoodie driving a silver van. The footage clearly shows the individual removing downspouts from several homes, including Mariano’s.

“We were surprised that this happened to us; we really didn’t expect it,” Mariano expressed. He estimated that around ten homes were affected by the thefts. Rumors suggest that the thief may have also targeted residences on adjacent streets. “It’s a really quiet neighborhood. Probably, people are really struggling now; I don’t know,” he added.

Another neighbor, who requested anonymity due to his previous employment in correctional facilities, confirmed that his brand new downspouts were also stolen from his garage. He is now hesitant to replace them, fearing that the thief might return. “Should I go with plastic or with metal?” he pondered. “Based on my previous job, usually, they’ll come back— they’ll give you time to replace it, then they’ll come back, so I’m not sure what to do at this time.”

The financial impact of the thefts is notable but not substantial for these homeowners. The neighbor estimated his loss at about $90, a sum he believes is not worth claiming on his insurance. However, he mentioned that the incident has significantly affected his sense of security in what he thought was a safe neighborhood. “I thought I made a right choice coming here, so I’m not too happy,” he remarked, questioning whether his garage might be the next target.

Local authorities have acknowledged the situation. Constable Claude Chancy of the Winnipeg Police Service confirmed that the thefts have been reported and an investigation is currently underway. As of now, no arrests have been made. Chancy indicated that the value of stolen downspouts is relatively low, which raises questions about the motive behind the thefts. “The amount of value from taking a few downspouts does not come up to much, so I can’t really understand what the motive would be in stealing downspouts,” he stated.

The peculiar nature of these thefts has left residents concerned not only about their property but also about the overall safety of their community. As investigations continue, homeowners in Garden City remain vigilant, hoping for answers and a swift resolution to this unusual crime wave.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to local authorities as they work to restore a sense of security in the neighborhood.